Anyone here successfully switched from sticks to wheel?

[DaveG28]

Just wondered if anyone has ever swapped from one to the other and recovered all their speed?

[racingben]

I use a wheel but can drive with sticks. Am about .1 - .2 sec per lap slower with sticks.

[cjm_2008]

Tried it once for about a month, then gave up.

theoretically a wheel is more 'natural' - but I reckon whatever you started out with soon becomes engrained.

I found that the tiny movements required for quick corrections were more accurate with thumbs moving sticks. you're using more tendons with a wheel.

when controlling an RC car on or near the limit, you're relying on visual acuity and learned experience - adding any other complication to the thought chain will only slow you down.

[Big G]

I'm almost as quick indoors at club, but I can't brake. My brain doesn't want to move that finger forward lol

[DCM]

I had the same, I could get to about 90% of my speed, but I had no confidence in braking... or more importantly, when I needed to brake fast, I squeezed rather than pushed...

[Crash]

I get on fine with a wheel now, but it takes practice - just like sticks did when you first start driving/racing. It takes time.

I find that correcting oversteer is easier/faster to control with a wheel radio and my throttle control is much smoother. I stopped 'blipping' the throttle almost straight away. However like others on this thread it's the brakes that take the effort to master.

[Mouton]

I still say I prefer sticks but have used a wheel for many years now.

I too agree that steering and accelerating is not cumbersome, but braking sure is. That was the biggest challenge and it can still happen that I just slam the brakes.

Are you looking at changing your radio?

[ConceptRacing]

I swapped over about 7 years ago from sticks to wheel as at the time I was working for Mirage and found I was using a wheel radio a lot more with all the rtr cars having them in the kit, I owned a Hitec radio at the time and didntt always get on with it so I thought I would get with the times and get a Helios instead, I reckon it took me about 18 months to get properly used to it, the system was so much easier to use and adjust compared to my old radio, now I dont even think about it, the other big thing I fitted was a wheel angle extension to make it easier to hold in a long rallycross final as I found my left hand was going numb, now|I have that its loads easier to hold and steer with. I do sometimes wonder if I would still be as quick with sticks if I swopped over.

[960rc]

I did it about 3 years ago best move ever, but try loads of other peoples radio first. I've had them all Mars UR, Sanwa M11X and Futaba for me Futaba is the most comfortable. Spektrum is good but wears out. I can still swop between stick and wheel, but wheel is faster. You need to make your mind up if your swopping if you keep your sticks you will swop back to them. I sold my stick which meant I had to use wheel.

[fidspeed]

I have used a wheel for almost 20 years now, i also fly helis and planks (planes) but i'm buggered if i can drive a car on sticks quickly . you get a lot more time with planes to think what you are doing

my boy however can fly planes helis, drive cars with equal skill whether wheel or stick suppose its the "playstation generation"

forgot to add we have a driver who has the use of one arm only so he holds the wheel radio, steers and throttles all with one hand and a very respectable job he does too

dave